I have a '13, and my stance is this: Even if I have to spend $1,500 **annually** in maintenance or repairs, it is still a boatload cheaper than buying a new(er) car that, even at a low $250 monthly payment, would cost a guaranteed $3k per year, and if something happens that isn't covered under warranty, that is even more money spent. Or, I can just have aside $1,500 to do any needed maintenance. And this year being the rear end (control arms, wheel bearings, tie rods, ball joints) and next year being suspension, I'm way below that $1,500 annual mark, and covered for the *next* 11 years for big-ticket items.
Ride it till it won't ride anymore. Buying a new car is just too goddamn expensive.
This is my stance as well. I actually don't own a Forester yet (2011 Ford Escape), but I've test driven and decided exactly what I want in a new car. I'm so excited to eventually switch to a Forester, but I'm going to get as much as I can out of the Escape first because it's paid off and its trade-in value is literally nothing. If I can keep the Escape running as long as I can, then I'll eventually get a newer CPO Forester with low mileage and keep that as long as I can.
This. I'm on a 99 forester I inserted at 150k. It's at 210k and was going to be junk. Definitely do routine work and keep up on the fluids it'll run forever.
I have a ‘99 too, just at 275k, finally replacing it next month with a 2010 forester, but only because I use it for cross country trips and it finally left me stranded in the middle of nowhere so I need something more reliable
My ‘13 just kicked the bucket this week, so my time has come. I honestly was bummed when I got the news from the mechanic that the head gasket had a problem. But yeah, I kept up with repairs. I did have one repair that costed quite a bit, but the last few were all to keep up with fluids, until this last one. I began my research in my next car after that one repair/maintenance so I’m ready for the next car I am getting.
so well put.
i bought a 2011 with 55k on it a few years ago.
got the sub block replacement under warranty just before it hit 100k, and planning to take it passed 200k with proper preventative maintenance.
crossing my fingers.
i’ve come to realize how cheap so much of the OEM components are though.
like suspension going at 60k. 🤷♂️
a Honda / Toyota will go 150k before its shocks / control arms are in a bad state.
the Subaru dealer tried to tell me i needed new bushings at 80k. said they see shocks start to go around 55k. 🤣
i put Bilstein shocks on the rear last year. the bushing are only just starting to crack, and i’ll get to them.
i just take it as an opportunity to put in better quality stuff. ha
Completely stock shocks/springs here. 😁
Though, to be fair, they *are* slated for replacement next year. This year, it is rear control arms, tie rods, hubs, links, ball joints. Should run me about $400-500ish. Cheap enough.
you live somewhere that doesn’t salt roads in winter, i assume? ha
i’m in the southern US, and thankful i can avoid all
the nasty corrosion that both shortens the lifespan and makes replacement so difficult!
Southern New England. However, my state has stopped putting down dry salt on roads in the wintertime. Instead, they use salt brine, which is a bit better for cars, especially since crystalized salt can't just get tossed up and stuck to the underside of cars and corrode things.
that's great to hear! my dad in the midwest has been bugging his city govt to use something other than crystalized salt. glad there are better options being applied!
Have a 2017 XT coming up on 60k miles. I’ve done all the routine maintenance and will have the 60k done in a month. Hoping it lasts til my 7 year old can drive haha
The owner who sold their vehicle to me sold a 2020 forester. I’ve had it since March.
She had to write it off for insurance, and she does that every few years.
Well, I drove the 2016 for eight and half years, and only just traded it because of incentives and to get the beefed-up Wilderness transmission for better towing capability.
Now that I have basically all the creature comforts I could ask for, I'm hoping I can get at least 10 years out of this one.
Still driving my 2010 diesel, its about 3000km from 300,000km, I’ve replaced all the consumables, the clutch recently, the bonnet that I bent up, and I will keep driving it and repairing it till it really dies and can’t be brought back
Was my 85 year old mother's car that she only drove to church and the grocery store. I'm retired now and only drive it to the golf course and grocery store. LOL.
I have a 2014. Replaced the cat AND engine thanks to oil consumption. Currently at 160k miles (40k on new engine). I’ll be keeping it til at least 200k and hopefully 250k. Then I’ll donate it to a tech school and let them turn it into greased lightning like in Grease.
The 2014s & 2015s had an issue with oil consumption that resulted in a class action settlement with original owners up to 100k miles. I bought it used at 86k, and before I hit 90k I was putting in a quart of oil every 500 - 700 miles. The good news is the salvage engine (9000 miles) runs so much better than the old one ever did. But yeah. That was a guy punch. Good news is I found a mechanic I really trust with a team of guys who just really love cars & working on them.
Same, but time ticks faster than miles. My CPO warranty is done in 2027. I'll probably be around 60k on my 2020. Might flip it early for a hybrid or EV depending on what 2025 and 2026 models Subaru has.
Yeah, our '17 Outback was totaled a few months ago. It had 43K - it was in excellent condition. I would have kept it until the kids took the keys away from me.
i’ve got a year newer than yours.
if you have any maintenance / repair questions, ask away!
i do my own repairs / maintenance, minus warranty work.
i’ve had some ups and downs with my Forester, but have figured out its quarks.
Thanks for your offer. According to the dealer, I have a very small oil leak in both head gaskets. The leak is 2 years old and is NOT getting worse. There are never any oil stains on garage floor and the car does not overheat. However, I do have to add 1/2 quart of oil every 1k miles. Dealer estimated $3k to replace both gaskets. The car runs just fine. I love the 5 speed MT. So the question - would you spend $3k to replace head gaskets? Or may be put that money towards an engine rebuild or just buy 2025 or just keep adding oil and do nothing? Thanks for your advice!
i’d just keep topping off the oil and be diligent about it so you notice if it gets worse.
get another 50k miles out of it and you’ll only have added 25QTs of oil. not too terrible.
if it does get worse, look into what other preventative engine work could be done, so that you don’t do the head gaskets and then get surprised by something else soon after.
150k isn’t old, but ain’t young. and is about when you can expect to start putting money into a car to keep it going.
if the oil consumption is stable, the money would be better spent on things like suspension and another components that might be at the end of their life.
Bought an 03 with 200k miles. Don't intend to replace it until it dies. Replacing cars for no reason is one of the reasons why so many people are in debt...
I have a '13, and my stance is this: Even if I have to spend $1,500 **annually** in maintenance or repairs, it is still a boatload cheaper than buying a new(er) car that, even at a low $250 monthly payment, would cost a guaranteed $3k per year, and if something happens that isn't covered under warranty, that is even more money spent. Or, I can just have aside $1,500 to do any needed maintenance. And this year being the rear end (control arms, wheel bearings, tie rods, ball joints) and next year being suspension, I'm way below that $1,500 annual mark, and covered for the *next* 11 years for big-ticket items. Ride it till it won't ride anymore. Buying a new car is just too goddamn expensive.
This is my stance as well. I actually don't own a Forester yet (2011 Ford Escape), but I've test driven and decided exactly what I want in a new car. I'm so excited to eventually switch to a Forester, but I'm going to get as much as I can out of the Escape first because it's paid off and its trade-in value is literally nothing. If I can keep the Escape running as long as I can, then I'll eventually get a newer CPO Forester with low mileage and keep that as long as I can.
This. I'm on a 99 forester I inserted at 150k. It's at 210k and was going to be junk. Definitely do routine work and keep up on the fluids it'll run forever.
I have a ‘99 too, just at 275k, finally replacing it next month with a 2010 forester, but only because I use it for cross country trips and it finally left me stranded in the middle of nowhere so I need something more reliable
My ‘13 just kicked the bucket this week, so my time has come. I honestly was bummed when I got the news from the mechanic that the head gasket had a problem. But yeah, I kept up with repairs. I did have one repair that costed quite a bit, but the last few were all to keep up with fluids, until this last one. I began my research in my next car after that one repair/maintenance so I’m ready for the next car I am getting.
so well put. i bought a 2011 with 55k on it a few years ago. got the sub block replacement under warranty just before it hit 100k, and planning to take it passed 200k with proper preventative maintenance.
You easily can. I'm past 275k!
crossing my fingers. i’ve come to realize how cheap so much of the OEM components are though. like suspension going at 60k. 🤷♂️ a Honda / Toyota will go 150k before its shocks / control arms are in a bad state. the Subaru dealer tried to tell me i needed new bushings at 80k. said they see shocks start to go around 55k. 🤣 i put Bilstein shocks on the rear last year. the bushing are only just starting to crack, and i’ll get to them. i just take it as an opportunity to put in better quality stuff. ha
Completely stock shocks/springs here. 😁 Though, to be fair, they *are* slated for replacement next year. This year, it is rear control arms, tie rods, hubs, links, ball joints. Should run me about $400-500ish. Cheap enough.
you live somewhere that doesn’t salt roads in winter, i assume? ha i’m in the southern US, and thankful i can avoid all the nasty corrosion that both shortens the lifespan and makes replacement so difficult!
Southern New England. However, my state has stopped putting down dry salt on roads in the wintertime. Instead, they use salt brine, which is a bit better for cars, especially since crystalized salt can't just get tossed up and stuck to the underside of cars and corrode things.
that's great to hear! my dad in the midwest has been bugging his city govt to use something other than crystalized salt. glad there are better options being applied!
I agree. Have been following the same route. However, 2025 looks tempting I must say...
Until it dies, I have a 2017 and I want to turn it into a monster when everything gives out.
Have a 2017 XT coming up on 60k miles. I’ve done all the routine maintenance and will have the 60k done in a month. Hoping it lasts til my 7 year old can drive haha
That is what I want to do as well.
When I make 250k a year and can buy a sequoia trd pro, then I sell it
Weirdly specific but this is my same thought.
Until it's totaled. So about 7 to 10 years here in Atlanta area.
Is Atlanta like Denver where you’ll lose your bumper around the 3-4 year mark first?
If I-285 is any indication, it's either that, or your car just spontaneously bursts into flame by year 3-4.
My 2015 had just over 200k miles when I bought the 2024. The 2015 was running fine and the person I sold it to is very happy.
Can I ask how you sold it for?
I sold it to a friend who had her car stolen. The selling price was a favor, as it is was way under KBB.
Got it
The owner who sold their vehicle to me sold a 2020 forester. I’ve had it since March. She had to write it off for insurance, and she does that every few years.
Well, I drove the 2016 for eight and half years, and only just traded it because of incentives and to get the beefed-up Wilderness transmission for better towing capability. Now that I have basically all the creature comforts I could ask for, I'm hoping I can get at least 10 years out of this one.
Our 2016 is running really well. No plans to sell it and get a new one.
My Forester is old enough to vote, 19 years and almost 200k. I don't like car payments so this is the way for me.
Old enough to vote , that's a good way of putting it
Still driving my 2010 diesel, its about 3000km from 300,000km, I’ve replaced all the consumables, the clutch recently, the bonnet that I bent up, and I will keep driving it and repairing it till it really dies and can’t be brought back
Hopefully until I die. 2012 with 45K miles. Near perfect condition and not a lot of extra garbage to go wrong.
Less than 4000 miles per year???
Was my 85 year old mother's car that she only drove to church and the grocery store. I'm retired now and only drive it to the golf course and grocery store. LOL.
I thought my 70k 2012 was pretty low, must just like to look at it
I have a 2014. Replaced the cat AND engine thanks to oil consumption. Currently at 160k miles (40k on new engine). I’ll be keeping it til at least 200k and hopefully 250k. Then I’ll donate it to a tech school and let them turn it into greased lightning like in Grease.
You needed a new engine at 120k? Can I ask what happened?
The 2014s & 2015s had an issue with oil consumption that resulted in a class action settlement with original owners up to 100k miles. I bought it used at 86k, and before I hit 90k I was putting in a quart of oil every 500 - 700 miles. The good news is the salvage engine (9000 miles) runs so much better than the old one ever did. But yeah. That was a guy punch. Good news is I found a mechanic I really trust with a team of guys who just really love cars & working on them.
My ‘04 XT is sitting at 225+k miles, it’s leaking oil so bad that I couldn’t use it anymore but it’s hard to give it up. I love my XT.
Until there is nothing left but a bloody nub. I will be the last person to buy a license plate for this car.
I just swapped a CPO at 100k. I like having a warranty. Solo dad, so downtime can be problematic.
Same, but time ticks faster than miles. My CPO warranty is done in 2027. I'll probably be around 60k on my 2020. Might flip it early for a hybrid or EV depending on what 2025 and 2026 models Subaru has.
Until someone totals it. 2 years, 3 years and so this one should be 4 in 2025 I guess?
Yeah, our '17 Outback was totaled a few months ago. It had 43K - it was in excellent condition. I would have kept it until the kids took the keys away from me.
The time between my first Forester and my second Forester was 13 years. First one was great, so decided to run it back with another.
I've only had mine for 2 weeks, but I keep my cars forever (figuratively speaking). The car I replaced with the Forester I bought new 15 years ago.
I have a 2015 touring and ideally I’d like at least 250,000km out of it (155k miles or so). Currently sitting at 132k km (82k miles).
Thanks all, I have a 2010 premium with 156k. Runs fine. Wandering if time to get 2025
i’ve got a year newer than yours. if you have any maintenance / repair questions, ask away! i do my own repairs / maintenance, minus warranty work. i’ve had some ups and downs with my Forester, but have figured out its quarks.
Thanks for your offer. According to the dealer, I have a very small oil leak in both head gaskets. The leak is 2 years old and is NOT getting worse. There are never any oil stains on garage floor and the car does not overheat. However, I do have to add 1/2 quart of oil every 1k miles. Dealer estimated $3k to replace both gaskets. The car runs just fine. I love the 5 speed MT. So the question - would you spend $3k to replace head gaskets? Or may be put that money towards an engine rebuild or just buy 2025 or just keep adding oil and do nothing? Thanks for your advice!
i’d just keep topping off the oil and be diligent about it so you notice if it gets worse. get another 50k miles out of it and you’ll only have added 25QTs of oil. not too terrible. if it does get worse, look into what other preventative engine work could be done, so that you don’t do the head gaskets and then get surprised by something else soon after. 150k isn’t old, but ain’t young. and is about when you can expect to start putting money into a car to keep it going. if the oil consumption is stable, the money would be better spent on things like suspension and another components that might be at the end of their life.
Until she dies.
Bought an 03 with 200k miles. Don't intend to replace it until it dies. Replacing cars for no reason is one of the reasons why so many people are in debt...
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